Lincoln in Person

"This reminds me of a little joke" (September 17, 1864)

Lincoln was famous for his funny stories, in part because of their humorous content, and in part because of his masterful delivery. Daniel Day-Lewis managed to capture both when he acted in the title role of Lincoln, Steven Spielberg's direction of a screenplay written by Tony Kushner.Although the movie is a drama, there are moments in which Lincoln's humor and wit are displayed. While the script is a work of fiction, it plausibly depicts Lincoln's style. For more resources on the movie, including the Unofficial Teacher's Guide, visit House Divided's Emancipation Digital Classroom.

Essential Question: Why was Lincoln perceived to be a funny storyteller, and for what purposes did he employ humor in his interactions with others?Directions:

View, categorize, and comment on examples of Lincoln's humorous stories on this VoiceThread.For example, what makes them funny (e.g., wit, sarcasm, self-deprecation)? What is his purpose?

Read the excerpts below from Kushner's script,
Lincoln. Make note of what you find funny (or what you think is
supposed to be funny), as well as what Lincoln's purpose seems to be.

View Spielberg's Lincoln (note that the relevant scenes are identified below). Add to your notes, focusing on how Lincoln's delivery (as portrayed by Daniel Day-Lewis) enhances the humor or effect of the exchange.

Create a Prezi or Storify presentation in which you illustrate how Lincoln used humor and wit as a political tool. You might even compare Lincoln's use of humor to one of today's politicians.

Lincoln engages with two African-American soldiers in the Washington Navy Yard:

Lincoln aims to convince Secretary of State Seward to find the votes needed to pass the 13th amendment:

Lincoln tells a story to try to put two solicitors at ease:

Lincoln uses a folksy analogy to explain that to do justice, one must sometimes bypass the law:

Lincoln's son, Robert, tries to convince his father to allow him to enlist:

Lincoln arrives at the War Department telegram office, as everyone awaits news of the battle at Fort Fisher:

Lincoln talks with and over one of his aides, as he considers whether to pardon a young soldier for cruelty:

Lincoln talks with Mary Lincoln's dressmaker, a free African-American servant, about the prospects for the 13th amendment: